19 June 2009

Gibbs Responds to WSJ Report on Gay Couples and the Census

Earlier today the Wall Street Journal reported the Obama Administration is "seeking ways to include" same-sex marriages, civil unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data. At today's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was prepared for the questions and responded to the report.

Gibbs confirmed the White House is "determining the best way gay and lesbian couples are accurately counted."

Gibbs added that for "math purposes we're going to have a coalition of" Democratic and Republican votes to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act legislation.

The transcript:

The Wall Street Journal reports the president wants civil unions to be included in the Census. can you respond to that?Obviously as we've discussed ... the president and the administration are committed to a fair and accurate count of all Americans. As the piece said, we're in the midst of determining the best way gay and lesbian couples are accurately counted.

Just a follow-up on the John Berry call we had the other day when the president signed the memorandum. Berry talked about the need for a specific number of votes to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. Is the White House talking to Republicans? Obviously, for math purposes we're going to have a coalition of people that believe in each of those interests that the policy isn't served our nation well. The president is committed to making progress on both of those issues.

AFTER THE JUMP, via CSPAN watch the White House press briefing where LGBT issues once again are front and center.